Paula Swann (Chief Officer, CCG) and Paul Greenhalgh (Executive Director of People, Croydon Council) introduced the report and gave a presentation (see attached).
The vision of the Croydon Outcomes Based Commissioning (OBC) Programme is for all partners (statutory, voluntary and community) to come together to provide high quality, safe, seamless care to the older people (age 65 and older) of Croydon that supports them to stay well and independent. Users will have a co-ordinated, personalised experience that meets their needs.
(N.B. Councillor Alisa Flemming entered the Chamber at 3pm)
There were table discussions following the presentation, each table looking at a different aspect and identifying particular areas or issues that the Board should keep under review in the coming year.
Table 1 - "I want to stay healthy and active for as long as possible"
The JSNA makes a number of recommendations on how older people can be supported to stay healthy and active.
Key issues raised:
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Transport - it is not specifically funded. The Freedom Pass is vital but people need to be able to access public transport. It is difficult for older and disabled people to get to places where activities are organised for them. Dial-a-Ride is not always available at the times when they are wanted. This can lead to isolation.
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Social prescribing - the importance of keeping people well in their communities, with positive roles. it is important to keep more people healthy and active by reducing the issues which prevent people from remaining so.
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GPs need to have the right information to signpost patients.
Table 2 - "I want access to the best quality care available in order to live as I choose and as independent a life as possible."
"I want to be supported as an individual, with services specific to me."
The JSNA makes a number of recommendations on how older people can be supported to live as independently as they choose and to be treated as an individual.
Key issues raised:
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Social isolation - it is important to ensure that those living alone have access to the right services.
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Needs of carers - planning and supporting individuals.
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Personal care packages - ensuring personal budgets meet the needs of the individual.
Table 3 - "I want to be helped by a team/person that has had the training and has the specialist knowledge to understand how my health and social care needs affect me."
"I want good clinical outcomes."
The JSNA makes a number of recommendations on how professionals and staff can be equipped with knowledge and skills and how good clinical outcomes can be delivered.
Key issues raised:
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Personalisation and variation - not everyone needs the same, so it is important to get the balance right.
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Clinical outcomes - maintaining the quality of services and patient care by responding to feedback, whilst managing patient expectations. Frontline staff need to have a wider view.
A suggestion was made of a councillor championing older people across departments. (Councillor Mike Selva has been the Senior Citizens' Champion since May 2014.)
The Board NOTED the report.